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Hibiscus Teach · Cartoons

Toy Story 3

Meet the Team

Introduce people or possessions and describe what makes each one special.

A2 English60-minute tutor lesson

Created by , British English teacher.

Content note: A friendly welcome that should not be taken as proof of a character’s later intentions.

Welcome to Sunnyside

The toys arrive at a new place. Lotso welcomes them.

Watch for: What does Lotso say about this place?

Clip A quiz · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. What is the place called?
2. Who welcomes the new toys?
3. What kind of toy is Lotso?
4. How does Lotso speak to the new toys at first?
5. What does Lotso offer the toys?
6. What does Lotso say about being donated?

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · Experience in an unfinished period
“you've been through a lot today”

Clip 1, quotation excerpt

Have been through connects today’s experience with now. Already can emphasise that much has happened before this moment.

New practice based on the quote: New practice: “We ___ already ___ through a difficult day.”

Useful English

Original practice phrases.

Welcome to our group.

Welcome someone new.

Let me show you this place.

Offer a simple tour.

Keep talking · 3 questions

Say your answer aloud before opening the support. With a partner, take turns and ask a follow-up question.

  1. What do you say to a new person in a group?

    Support and one possible answer

    Welcome… My name…

    Welcome to our group. My name is Alex.

  2. What makes a place good for games?

    Support and one possible answer

    It has… We can…

    It has a big table. We can play together.

  3. Show a new person one place you know.

    Support and one possible answer

    This is… You can…

    This is our classroom. You can sit here.

Andy introduces his toys

Andy tells Bonnie about his toys.

Watch for: Why are the toys special to him?

Clip B quiz · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. Who receives the toys?
2. Which toy is a cowgirl?
3. Which toy is a dinosaur?
4. Which toy is a space ranger?
5. What does Andy say Woody will do?
6. What does Andy want Bonnie to do?

1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · The highest place in a group
“the coolest toy ever”

Clip 2, quotation excerpt

The coolest is a superlative. Cool forms coolest with -est; ever makes the comparison very broad.

New practice based on the quote: New practice: “This is ___ toy in the box.”

Useful English

Original practice phrases.

This is my favourite one.

Identify a favourite.

Please take care of it.

Ask someone to look after a possession.

Keep talking · 3 questions

Say your answer aloud before opening the support. With a partner, take turns and ask a follow-up question.

  1. Describe something you like.

    Support and one possible answer

    It is… I use it…

    It is a small camera. I use it on walks.

  2. What can make an old object special?

    Support and one possible answer

    It is special because…

    It is special because a friend gave it to me.

  3. You lend something to a friend. What do you say?

    Support and one possible answer

    You can… Please…

    You can use my book. Please take care of it.

Mastery quiz

Use language from both clips in new situations.

Mastery · 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, then read the feedback.

1. A student joins your class. You say, ___ to our group.
2. This is a good ___ for a picnic.
3. Of all my books, this is my ___.
4. Please ___ my plant while I am away.
5. You offer to show a new student the school. What do you say?
6. You lend your headphones to a friend. What do you say?

Put it all together — speaking

Speak first, then use the support if you need it. For the final conversation, take a role each or practise both roles alone.

  1. How do Lotso and Andy introduce others?

    Support and one possible answer

    Lotso talks about… Andy talks about…

    Lotso talks about the new place. Andy explains why each toy is special.

  2. Choose two people for a team. What can each person do?

    Support and one possible answer

    This is… He or she can…

    This is Mia. She can draw. This is Leo. He can explain our ideas.

  3. Can you introduce a small team or a collection to someone new?

    Support and one possible answer

    Introduce three members or objects and say one thing about each.

    Welcome to our group. This is Mia, our artist. This is Leo; he helps with ideas. I make the videos. Let me show you our work.

Role A

Introduce three invented team members or three possessions. Give a different detail about each.

Role B

You are new. Ask one question about a person or object and say which interests you.

Check your conversation

  • Introduce three different people or objects.
  • Use can or a simple describing word.
  • Ask and answer one question.

Try again: Try the last conversation again. Use one more useful phrase.

1–2 minGrammar masteryB1 · Finished and unfinished time
“you've been through a lot today”

Clip 1, quotation excerpt

Present perfect can connect today’s experience with now. A finished time such as yesterday normally uses past simple.

Which new version changes both the time to yesterday and the tense appropriately?

Original teaching activities: Hibiscus Teach. Film and television clips belong to their respective owners.